Abstract
The ignition and the burning characteristics of aluminum and magnesium particles ($30-110{\mu}m$ in diameter) isolated due to electrodynamic levitation were experimentally investigated. The burning time, the ignition delay time, the flame temperature, and the flame diameter were measured. The thermal radiation intensity was measured using the photomultiplier tube and the combustion history was monitored by high-speed cinematography. Two-wavelength pyrometry measured the temperature of the burning particles. The burning times of aluminum particles were measured approximately 5 to 8 times longer than those of magnesium particles. Exponents of $D^n$-law, for the burning rate of magnesium and aluminum particles of diameters less than $110{\mu}m$, are found to be 0.6 and 1.5, respectively. The instant of aluminum ignition is clearly distinguished with the ignition delay time little less than 10 ms, however the burning history of magnesium particle exhibits no distinct instant of the ignition. The ignition delay time of magnesium particle (less than $110{\mu}m$) were approximately shown in the range from 50 to 200 ns. The flame temperatures of single metal particles are lower than the boiling point of the oxide. The nondimensional flame diameters for magnesium are decreased with increasing of the diameter. The nondimensional flame diameters for aluminum are not changed significantly.
